MORE than 400 jobs have been lost in Scotland every week Scottish Secretary Michael Moore has been in office, Labour claimed today.

Shadow Scotland secretary Margaret Curran blamed the Government decision to scrap the Future Jobs Fund for some of the losses and said Mr Moore had been "posted missing".

But Moore insisted the Government was doing everything it could to tackle youth unemployment.

Speaking at Scotland Questions, Ms Curran said: "There is one statistic you should be familiar with. Since this Government scrapped the Future Jobs Fund 23,000 jobs have been lost in Scotland. That's over 400 jobs every week for young people while you have become the Tory man in Scotland.

"We are in the midst of a youth unemployment crisis and you have been posted missing.

"In contrast Labour took direct action, through the Future Jobs Fund, delivering over 10,000 real jobs for young people in Scotland.

"Can you share with the House what plans you have, any ideas at all, to take direct action to tackle youth unemployment in Scotland?"

Moore said: "You wish to leave behind that horrible mess (you left) for us to fix. You cannot escape the fact youth unemployment rose under Labour.

"We are investing a billion pounds in the youth contract that will enhance the number of work experience places, will provide additional support for employers taking on young people and has provided the Scottish Government with additional resources."